What's Cooke'n Blog: AMY GRANT AND VINCE GILL TO RECEIVE JACK C. MASSEY LEADERSHIP AWARD

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– The Mental Health Association of Middle Tennessee today announced that musicians Amy Grant and Vince Gill have been named the recipients of the 2009 Jack C. Massey Leadership Award. This award is presented biennially in recognition of outstanding community leadership and considerable contributions to numerous causes that improve the lives of Middle Tennessee’s citizens.

“For nearly than 30 years, Amy and Vince have been very successful in Nashville ’s music industry,” said Tom Starling, President and CEO of the Mental Health Association of Middle Tennessee. “However, their greatest legacy to Nashville is not just record sales or professional accolades. Their generous contributions of time and resources to numerous charitable organizations serving underprivileged children, performing arts, physically disabled, homeless, and other persons in need exemplifies the type of visionary leadership that Jack C. Massey demonstrated. We are delighted to name Amy Grant and Vince Gill as the recipients of the Jack C. Massey Award.”

Amy Grant's career spans over 25 years and stretches from her roots in gospel into an iconic pop star, songwriter, television personality, and philanthropist. Grant has sold more than 30 million albums and won six Grammys^® in multiple categories, beginning with the platinum selling Age to Age in 1982. She also has six #1 hits, including "Baby, Baby," and "Every Heartbeat". For as long as she has been singing, Grant has also been giving back to her community. Many organizations, large and small, local and international, have benefitted from Grant’s involvement.

Vince Gill has sold more than 26 million albums. He has earned 18 CMA Awards, including Entertainer of the Year in 1993 and 1994. Gill is a member of the Grand Ole Opry and has received 19 Grammys^®to date, the most of any male Country artist. In 2007, the Country Music Association inducted Gill as the newest members of the coveted Country Music Hall of Fame. An avid golfer, he helped create the annual Vince Gill Pro-Celebrity Invitational Golf Tournament (“The Vinny”) in 1993 in order to help support junior golf programs throughout Tennessee.

Besides being known for his talent as a performer, musician and songwriter, Gill is regarded as one of Country Music’s best known humanitarians, participating in hundreds of charitable events throughout his career.

The Jack C. Massey Award was created by the Mental Health Association in 1986 to honor the late Mr. Massey’s lifelong dedication to the Nashville community. He was a founder of Baptist Hospital and was on its Board of Trustees for 20 years. He also was a trustee of Montgomery Bell Academy and a founder of the Tennessee Performing Arts Center. He made frequent contributions to local academic institutions such as Vanderbilt Law School, Meharry Medical College, and Belmont College, whose graduate school of business bears his name. One of the most successful entrepreneurs of his time, Mr. Massey helped establish and lead numerous corporations including Kentucky Fried Chicken, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Surgical Care Affiliates, Corrections Corporation of America, Hospital Corporation of America and Massey Surgical Supply.

Former Jack C. Massey Leadership Award recipients include Ambassador Joe M. Rodgers (1986), Leah Rose Werthan (1988), Buddy Killen (1991), Governor Ned McWherter (1993), Senator Howard H. Baker, Jr. (1995), Annette Eskind (1997), Alyne Massey (1999), William O. Whetsell, Jr., M.D. (2001), William S. Cochran (2003), Orrin H. Ingram, John R. Ingram, David B. Ingram and Robin Ingram Patton (2005), and Mayor Bill Purcell (2007).

Alyne Massey, Mr. Massey’s widow, will serve as honorary chair of the invitation-only awards dinner event, which will be held November 18, 2009. Diana Day-Cartee and Karen Moore will serve as event co-chairs.

About The Mental Health Association of Middle Tennessee

The Mental Health Association of Middle Tennessee promotes mental wellness for all individuals through advocacy, education and service. For more information about the Mental Health Association of Middle Tennessee, call 615-269-5355 or visit www.ichope.com.